Stargazing at Fort Rock

about

Adventure: Join us for a night of exploration in the Oregon Outback. Our stargazing adventure will take us to Fort Rock, an ancient volcanic tuff ring that rises out of the flatness of the high desert. Each evening will be a different and unique experience! With some evening’s, we will arrive just as the sun is setting to the west, taking in the last of the day’s light before we begin our night of celestial wonder. While other evenings will focus on immersing ourselves in the darkest of skies! You can find the unique details for each date below!

Naturalist Guided Experience: The tuff ring of Ft. Rock’s pinnacles rise above an ancient ocean bed and much like the geologic history of other Central Oregon formations such as Smith Rock, the area’s geology can be traced back to volcanic activity. It is an area that is locally referred to as the Sagebrush Ocean, a stunning piece of America’s landscape filled with raptors, coyotes and cowboys. The area is also home to some of the oldest evidence of human civilization in North America. Fort Rock is an absolutely incredible stargazing destination, lying just north of the newly designated Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary. The Oregon Outback as a whole, is the largest contiguous dark sky shed in the United States, boasting some of the best stargazing in the entire world.

details

$140 per person

Summer 2026 Dates & Tour Time:

Sat. June 13th | 7:30pm - 12:30am
Fri. July 10th | 7:30pm - 12:30am
Sat. Aug 1st | 7:00pm - 12:00am (Full Moon)
Aug 7-9th & 14-16th - Perseids Meteor Shower | Book Here
Sat. Sep 12th | 5:45pm - 10:45pm
Sat. Sep 26th | 5:15pm - 10:15pm (Full Moon)

Tour INCLUDES

• Professional naturalist guide & award-winning interpretation
• Adventure: Inspiring sunset hike and stargazing within one of Oregon’s most spectacular volcanic tuff rings
• Drinks & Dessert: Hot cocoa & a local treat from Sparrow Bakery.
• Transportation: Departing from our office

PLEASE BRING

• Jacket/ layers for variable weather, hat, sunglasses
  • Temps will drop when the sun goes down!
• Water or snacks if desired
• Camp chair or blanket (for stargazing)

Weather & Visibility: We are fortunate to be on the dry side of the Cascades, getting over 300 days of clear skies and sunshine per year. With that said, this tour will run regardless of rain or cloudy skies. You can learn more about our weather policy here.

Tour Minimums: The minimum total number of guests for this tour is 8. We will reach out 2 weeks prior to the tour date if we do not have 8 guests signed up.

You can find all of our Dark Sky & Stargazing focused Special Events and Daily Tours here!

Accessibility: If you are interested in joining the tour but have mobility challenges, please call our office and inquire about the use of an AdvenChair. You can learn more about the AdvenChair and specific tours tailored for accessibility here.

We are also hosting our Art in Nature: Bend Camerata Concert & Stargazing at Fort Rock on Saturday, September 27th for those interested in the melding of art & nature!

What to expect for each date

Our 2026 Fort Rock Summer Tours will have us arriving at the stunning volcanic tuff ring just as the sun is setting to the west! We will enjoy a scenic sunset hike as the the light slowly fades beyond the horizon and we transition from day to night and begin our exploration into the twinkling heavens above!

June 13th - New Moon: The moon will be well below the horizon and in a new phase, giving us and incredible opportunity to stargaze at Fort Rock.

July 10th - New Moon: With a mid day moonset and the moon in a near-new phase, we will have perfect light conditions for stargzaing in the Oregon outback.

August 1st - Full Moon: While not a true full moon, the evening of August 1st will see the moon at roughly 92% illumination, rising in middle of our stargazing adventure!

September 12th - New Moon: The moon will be in a near-new phase. We will have the pleasure of watching the thin cresecent set shortly after we arrive while the stars begin to blanket the sky above.

September 26th - Full Moon: Shortly after we arrive at Fort Rock, a true full moon will rise just as the sun sets. It will surely be a spectacular moment of radiant colors before we settle in for a night of stargazing under the stunning moonlight.